FINALLY FRIDAY: Junes at home

HAVING band-members living in two states often forces country-swing outfit The Junes to cram in all their rehearsals just before a gig.
Clifton Springs’ Sarah Carroll laughed that an upcoming Ocean Grove gig could be “hair-raising” for this reason.
“The first gig of a run is always interesting because we often haven’t played together for a period of months. It’s great though because we’re happy to see each other and to be playing together.”
Carroll said coordinating meet-ups between all five band members’ busy schedules is often a challenge.
“We don’t practise much at all. We try to get together a couple of days either side of our gigs, so if we’re working up a new song we can practice it and settle in together.”
The gorgeous teaming of three female June-born vocalists – Carroll, Suzannah Espie and Gleny Rae – brings together The Junes’ eclectic range of influences.
Together with bassist Dougie Bull and drummer Chris Tabone, the group combines country, calypso and reggae styles to create unique original music.
“There’s heaps you can do with traditional forms to bring fresh sounds and fresh ideas,” Carroll said.
“We write about things of interest and of concern to us and things that make us laugh, bringing it into the modern day. We’re ready to have a crack at all sorts of stuff and we all write in different styles.”
Carroll said a “generally light-hearted tone” underpinned The Junes’ music, which was often upbeat and encouraged crowds to dance.
“Even when we’re singing about something quite poignant it always has humorous elements.”
The Junes have fit plenty of touring around Australia into their six years together, appearing at major festivals, including shows at Port Fairy, Queenscliff and Woodford.
“We have to do a lot of driving and travelling for our music,” Carroll said.
Two upcoming Geelong region gigs would be a welcome relief for Carroll who said she would enjoy spending the weekend locally.
The Junes play Ocean Grove’s The Piping Hot Chicken Shop on February 15 and Geelong Botanic Gardens’ Music in the Gardens on February 17.